Abstract
Chronic groin pain is a common and complex problem among athletes which can also happen in general population. This condition is known to most as sportsman hernia. It is also known as inguinal disruption according to latest consensus. It involves males almost exclusively. The presenting complaint is usually exercise-related insidious chronic groin pain. Good history and clinical examination is important to diagnose sportsman hernia, and also to rule out other differential diagnoses and associated injuries that can also present as chronic groin pain. Diagnosis and decision for surgical intervention for sportsman hernia is a clinical one. However, imaging modalities such as ultrasound and MRI may have their roles to help achieving diagnosis and to look for other causes of groin pain. Recommended treatment for sportsman hernia is essentially to begin with trial of conservative treatment which includes physiotherapy, sports rehabilitation and medications for symptomatic pain relief. Surgical intervention can be discussed if there is failure of conservative treatment. Recommended surgery till date is open or laparoscopic hernia repair with mesh. However, as this is a complex and still poorly understood problem, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended to optimize patient’s outcome. As there is still limited evidence on this topic, more studies are required in order to come out with a guideline or protocol to approach sportsman hernia.
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Tan, Y.P., Rao, J. (2020). Sportsman Hernia. In: Chowbey, P., Lomanto, D. (eds) Techniques of Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-3944-4_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-3944-4_13
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